Free agent linebacker Brandon Spikes is in Foxboro today paying a visit to the Patriots, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). On a typical Wednesday in May, news of Spikes’ visit to New England might be the biggest Patriots story of the day. However, today it will be dwarfed by Ted Wells’ report on the DeflateGate scandal.

Spikes, 27, started his career with the Pats, spending four seasons with the team before joining the division-rival Bills a year ago. While he’s typically taken off the field in passing downs, Spikes is an effective part-time player, specializing as a run defender. He has received interest from – or at least been linked to – the 49ers, Vikings, Dolphins, and Bills this offseason.

If the Patriots decide to bring back Spikes, the team likely wouldn’t make anything official for another week or so. Veteran free agents signed after May 12 won’t be counted toward the compensatory draft pick formula for 2016, so it wouldn’t make sense for New England to rush into a contract agreement.